How to Enjoy Fall and Winter with Your Horse

Over the years Ive found that by still keeping fit with other activities while riding and teaching less during the colder months I approach the next riding season with greater creativity and enthusiasm. 
3 Consider a total vacation
Giving your horse a complete rest with turnout only can be mentally beneficial for some horses especially for those seasoned horses who know their job. You can supplement with some light lunging and ponying in order to maintain fitness and I think this is a better alternative to sporadic schooling sessions. I find that a horse ridden only once or twice a week in the cold weather takes too much lunging before he is settled enough to learn anything and this is probably physically harder on him than regular work. Some horses take too long to bring back to fitness and sanity after a lengthy time off continuing to train these horses throughout the winter is a good choice.
4 Get to the root of an issue
The off season is a good time to address a training issue that has been put on the back burner. Is there a show ring habit that started to form over the summer or a specific skill that began to lose precision? Are you facing issues on the ground with clipping tying up trailer loading or standing at the mounting block or problems such as tension or aggression when riding in a crowded environment? Are there any issues which if addressed would make the next season more enjoyable for both you and your horse?
5 Boarding school has its benefits
Riders not wanting to part with their horses during the summer months might look at the off season as an opportunity to send them for professional training. A reputable trainer can find any weak spots and then systematically reschool the horse to eliminate areas of confusion. 
Maybe your horse needs a new job or challenge. Many professionals spend the winter months introducing new skills such as flying changes work over fences or sliding stops depending on your discipline.
6 Try an equitation tuneup
Riders develop habits which need to be addressed as well. Was your trainer constantly reminding you about your hand position or that you were leaning to the left? Is it time that you learned to pick up that diagonal by feel once and for all? 
Have someone videotape you or lunge you on your horse with the goal of